A new football rule was applied for the first time at the Club World Cup.
At the Real Madrid-Pachuca match, referee Ramon Abati Abeu crossed his arms in front of his chest, signaling the activation of the International Football Association Board's (FIFA) special protocol against racism.
Mexican Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral fouled Real Madrid defender Antonio Ridiger at the end of the match, after which the German defender reported to the referee that he had been the target of racist insults.
The referee then, for the first time in this competition, made a gesture with his hands.
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that the protocol has been initiated and that an investigation is underway.
"We believe in Ridiger and we stand with him. This is unacceptable," said Alonso, emphasizing the need for zero tolerance for racism.
FIFA's protocol for combating racism has three stages: first the match is stopped, then it can be temporarily interrupted, and in the final case, completely stopped if the incidents continue.
Given that there was very little time left until the end of the Ral - Pachuca match, it was not interrupted and was brought to an end (Ral won 3:1).
When asked what happened and whether Ridiger was racially abused, Alonso replied:
"Tony has informed us of something. We have to wait and see now. I think FIFA protocol has been activated to investigate."
"But if something happened, measures must be taken and we support Antonio because this is something unacceptable," said the Real Madrid coach.
Cabral denied that he racially abused Ridiger, saying he cursed at him and called him a "coward."
"We collided and had an argument."
"He said I hit him with my hand, and then there was an argument and the referee made a move, signaling racism, but I kept telling him the same thing."
Pachuca head coach Jaime Lozano told reporters he didn't know what happened.
"I can't comment, because this is the first time I've heard about it from you."
"I've known Cabral for a while and I've never heard of a Pachuca player behaving like that."
"I don't want to defend my team captain at all costs, I'll talk to him."
Ridiger has previously been the victim of racist abuse while playing for Chelsea in 2021.
Another Real player, striker Vinicius Junior, is often the target of racist abuse in the Spanish league.
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